Coast Guard suspends search for missing kayaker

NEW ORLEANS – The Coast Guard suspended its search for a missing kayaker in the waters off Gulf Shores and Dauphin Island at 7 p.m., Tuesday.

Response crews covered more than 2,115 square miles during the search for Sean Switzer, after receiving a report from concerned family members on Sunday evening when he failed to return from a kayak outing off of Gulf Shores.

On Monday afternoon Switzer’s kayak was found floating 3 miles off-shore by Coast Guard search assets.

Participating in the search were Coast Guard crews and assets from the Coast Guard Cutter Cobia, Coast Guard Station Dauphin Island, Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans, Coast Guard Aviation Training Center Mobile, and Coast Guard Sector Mobile along with several local police and fire departments.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Mr. Switzer. The men and women of the Coast Guard are deeply committed to the preservation of life at sea. It is always a bitter disappointment to us when we cannot bring someone home safely. Their loss is our loss.” said Commander Chris Cederholm of Coast Guard Sector Mobile.